Exhaust gas conditioner



March 19, 1957 .1. P. RUTH EXHAUST GAS CONDITIONER Filed Nov. 1, 1954 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Joseph P. Rut-h Fig. I

United States Patent (T 2,785,962 EXHAUST GAS CONDITIONER Joseph P. Ruth, Denver, Colo. Application November 1, 1954, Serial No. 465,790 8 Claims. (Cl. 23284) As a development from and an improvement over the apparatus disclosed in my Patent Number 2,677,601, dated May 4, 1954, Number 2,678,261, dated May 11, 1954, and my pending application Serial No. 396,049, filed December 3, 1953, the instant invention relates to exhaust gas conditioners operable in accordance with and to give efiect to the principles of the method described in my Patent Number 2,611,680, dated September 23, 1952, and has as an object to provide anovel, improved, and eflicient construction and organization of elements constituting an exhaust gas conditioner particularly suited for use on andwith certain types of automotive vehicles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedexhaust gas conditioner efiectively operable to successively and repetitiously subject internal combustionengine exhaust gases to ameliorating influences in a conduit 13 fixedly upstands from the casing bottom to terminate in an open end spaced below the plate 12 a to terminate in an open delivery end spacedly adjacent the casing bottom, so that, when the line 14 is connected to receive and transmit the exhaust gas flow from an i internal combustion engine, the gas output of the engine is delivered within and adjacent the base of the conduit 13 for uprise through the space between said conduit and Patented Mar. 19, 1957* line to escape to the casing interior through the annular opening at the upper end of the conduit. Downwardly-' 1 tapered apertures 15 intersect the lower end of the conduit 13 in registration diametrically thereof slightly above the delivery end of the line 14, and lugs 16 instruck from 3 lower margins of said openings hear at their ends against adjacent wall areas of said line to position and steady the latter aswell as to diffuse and spirally direct the gas flow uprising past said lugs from its delivery to the base direct and sole reaction to the exhaust gas output pressures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved exhaust gas conditioner efiective to thoroughly scrub and dewater the gases passed therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved exhaust gas conditioner efficiently operable to cool, cleanse, and suppress the noxious properties of gases passed therethrough without consequent development oi adverse back pressures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved exhaust gas conditioner operable with such conservation of a water charge utilized therein as adapts the unit for extended continuous use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved exhaust gas conditioner of compact, convenient form proportioned to operative capacity in a manner adapting the unit for use on and with automotive vehicles.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken substantially axially through a typical and preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section taken substantially on the indicated line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken substantially on the indicated line 3-3 of Figure 1.

' Figure 4 is a fragmentary, detail section of elements of the organization according to Figure 1 as viewed from the zone indicated at 44 in the latter view.

In the construction of the improvement as shown, the numeral 10 designates an upright, preferably tubular, axially elongated casing closed at its bottom to confine a charge of water in its lower portion, furnished with a normally-plugged drain outlet 11 adjacent the bottom, and normally closed at its otherwise open upper endby a detachable plate 12. Coaxially within the casing 10,

of the conduit. The lower portion of the casing 10 confines a charge of water rising within the casing to a maximum level height well below the upper end of the conduit 13, from which charge water enters the conduit through the apertures 15 to encounter and mix with the gas fiow uprising through the conduit exteriorly about the line 14 and is pumped in reaction to the buoyancy and input pressures of the gas, and with cooling and wetting effect on the gases, as a gas-water mixture up wardly through and outwardly from the open upper end of the conduit. The gas-water mixture discharged through the annular opening about the line 14 at the upper end of the conduit 13 is received within a tubular deflector 17 fixed by means of its closed, interiorly-concave upper end 18 to the line 14 spacedly above the adjacent end of the conduit 13 to telescope over and spacedly about the upper end of the conduit with its open lower end above the maximum level height of the water charge, whereby to direct the heavier components of the discharge from the upper end of the conduit to, for recirculation with, r

or for settlement within said charge.

transversely of the casing 10 above the lower end of the A frustmconical baflle 19 is sealed at its greater base margin to and fixed deflector 17 and inclines upwardly and inwardly of the casing to dispose the margin of its open lesser base spacedly adjacent and concentrically about the closed end 18 of the said deflector, whereby to define a restricted annular throat between said deflector and the baflle 19 wherethrough the vaporous components of the discharge l from the upper end of the conduit 13 pass to the portion of the casing above the baflie as they are released from and use outwardly and upwardly past the deflector. As

should be manifest, the deflector 17 and bafile 19 function i to effectively separate the vaporous components from the associated liquid and wetted solids of the discharge from the upper end of the conduit 13 and to isolate said vaporous components in the portion of the casing above the bafile with return of the heavier discharge components to the water charge in the lower end of the casing.

Closing interiorly and transversely of the casing 10 about the conduit 13 above the apertures 15 and well below the maximum level height of the water charge, a foraminous or reticulate sheet 20 supports a bed 21 of broken limerock, or the equivalent, within the water charge in a disposition such that water from the portion of thewcharge above said bed must traverse the latterbefore it can enter the apertures 15, thus to intimately and repetitiously expose the acidic characteristics of the dissolved gases and gas-water mixtures returned to the t watercharge to the ameliorating influences of the material of the bed 21 and to maintain the water charge in condition ton repetitious use; in the treatment of the incoining gases. To facilitate incharge and replenishment of the bed 21, a handhole normally closed by a removable cap 22 may be providedin appropriate intersecting relation with the wallofthe casing 10.,

Interiorly andtransyerselyof the casing 10 about the,

' tocirculate theresultant mixture upwardlyeofathe casing line,14 and. immediately above the; open; lesser base, of;

the battle 19,, a second foraminous r reticulateosheeti uppor 'a-bed 4 b n. imer ck. n e q iv len tru t g the pper po ti n. of the, casing i pa ed-.1 relation with the detachable .plate lz and covering and surroundi ga p ate.lirfixed yroutstand ng om radiallyrof theuline, 14. in spaced panallelism ;with; and aboYewthe ,sheet, 23 with its free margin Spaced "from;

the casing ,wall and. outwardlyaoverhanging. the lesser base, ofi the, baifle ;19., Fixed-1o and depending; from -;th.e,.

detachable plate 12inconcentriqrelation with andospacedr,

ly aboutthe line 14, a reticulateor; foraminousisleeve r26;

closes atits .open lower .end, against the: upperlsurface of the bed 24' to define therewith an annular openspace interiorly and adjacent the .upper, outer corner .of the,

casing from which an outlet 27 leads to atmosphere,

and an extension 24 of the .bed 24 crises within and,

fills the sleeve 26 to .close against the .plate 12.

Washed gases and entrained wet vaporsuprising within 7 the casing 10 through the-annular throat betweenthe.

baflle 19, and deflector 17' encounter andare constrained, to diffuse through the bed 24 wherethey are intimately and repetitiously exposed to the ameliorating influences of the material composing the bed, scrubbedandrdewatered with consequent wetting of the bedcomponent surfaces, relieved of their acidic characteristics, and conditioned for dischargethrough-the outlet-27 in cool,

dry, and harmless state,nthe plate-25 functioning to divert and spread the vaporous flow-through the bed 24 throughout and into prolonged contact with the elements of-the bed, and the bed extension 24 functioning to supplement andenhance the ameliorating and scrubbing action of the bed 24, in an obvious manner.

The vapors which diffuse through the beds 24 and 24' which may take the form ofan be also utilized as a water level sight glass, connects between a low point of'the angle jus't me'ntion ed and the casing interior well below the maximum water level height therein for return of 'the drip from the ,beds- Hand 24 to and {or reuse with the principal water charge of the apparatus A Iemvable Plug, 29 t r Per. nd, g he b' -pas 28 exterior tothe casing 10' may be provided as a con; venient means for supplyi ng and for replenishing the conditioner;

Since changes, variations, and modificationsinthe '55- water ;chargerequ1s1 te for theintendedoperat on of the,

form, construction, and arrangemenbof the elements shown and described may .be had without departing from.

the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood as being limited SOlly IbY the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the ,illustrative Showing e oin .dsssrt ptiqn,

I claim as may invention;

1. An exhaust, gas conditionen comprisinga closed,

vertically elongated casing adapted to. confine 3 Charge of water in its lower; portion, an outlet-to atmosphereat. the upperend o f --sa-i d casing, abed-of; broken lime: qslst ra svers ly i bs r tin i t w r p n i v casing ;-spa cedly-;above the bottom thereof, whereby. said bedpis -positioned-,forsubmergence within the. water to discharge within the upper portion thereof, a second bed of broken limerock transversely obstructing the casing upper portion between the discharge end of said means and said outlet, and means definitive of a tortuous flow passage between said outlet and the discharge end of said first means efiective to dewater the vapors thereby traversed.

2. An exhaust gas conditioner-comprising a closed, vertically elongated-casing adapted, to confine-a charge of water in its lower portion and formed with an outlet to atmosphere at its upper end, a ,bedof broken limerock transversely. obstructing, the .lower portion of said casing spacedly above the bottom thereof, whereby said bed is positioned for submergenceowithin the water charge confined by the casing, means reactive to the input of exhaust gases to said casing below said bed to intermix the gases with water from below the bed and, to; circulate; the, vresultant mixture upwardly, 'of the casing. toqdischarge withinttheuppernportion thereof, a deflector spacedly and telescopically associated with the, discharge end of v said means; for the directionuof outflowg from said; means toward the casing, lower. portion, -a secondjbedwof broken limerock transversely. obstructing. the casing between said deflector-and; said outlet,: a I frustQ-conical, batflesealedto and, instanding upwardly oftsaidfcasing below: said secondv bed withits open lesser, bases-spacedlysurroundingsaid deflector, and a by-pass; about said g-baflle, for return. to vthe casing lower portion: of drip collected thereon.

3. An exhaust; gas conditioner comprising a closed, vertically elongated-casing;adaptedto, confine. a charge of--water in its, lower portionand formed with an outlet,. tosatmosphere at,its;.upper end, a bed ,Qffbl'OkGll lime; rocletransversely obstructing theilower'vportion of said casing spacedlyrabovethe bottom thereofgwhereby said bedis positionedifornsubmergence within the =water:charge confined by the casing, .means reactive to the input-of, exhaust gases to said casing below said bed to interrnix the. gasesv with water from below, the bed andtocireulate the resultant mixture upwardly.oi'lthe,v casing to, discharge within the upper portion ,thereof,,1a ,deflectp lspacedly and telescopically associated, with-,the, discharge end ,ofa said means for the directionofoutflowfrom said means-- toward the casing lower portion, a secondgbed of-bro ken limerock transversely obstructing the casing between, said; deflector and said outlet, a frusto-conical:batlie sealed; to and instanding upwardly of saidtcasing belowzsaid: second bed .with its open lesserbase spacedly surrounding said deflectona-plate centrally andptransversely; of; said casing-within said ,second bed peripherally spaced-.- inwardly from the casing and spacedlyregisteredin, overhanging relation with the open lesser base of; said. bafile and a by-pass about saidbatflefor returm (0;1116 casing lower portion of drip collected thereon;

4. Anexhaust gas conditioner comprising .a closed, vertically elongated casing adapted to confinena charge 1 of water in its lower portion andformed with an outlet to atmosphere at itsupper end, a bed of broken limerock transversely obstructing -the lower portion of said cas-r ing spacedly above the bottom thereof, whereby saidrvbed v is positioned for ,submergence' within ,the. ,water ;charge confined by the casing, means reactive to the inputrgfexhaust gases. to said, casing belowsaidtbed to intermiX-the gases with water from belowut-he bed audio-circulate,- the resultant mixture. upwardly of ;the;.casin'g to discharge within the .uppen portion thereof, .a deflector-rspacedlyeand telescopically. associated with .the-dischargeuend of :said, means-for. the direction of (lIJtflOWsflOlllsaidmeans toward-the casing lowenportion, a second bed of broken limerock transversely obstructingthe casing between; said deflector and said outlet below the latter, a.frusto-.con ical:= bame sealed-to and instanding upwardly ofrtheicasingber law said second bed :withiitsr open lesserlbase; spacedly greases surrounding said deflector, a plate centrally and transversely of the casing within said second bed peripherally spaced inwardly from the casing and spacedly registered in overhanging relation with the open lesser base of said baflle, a central, upward extension of said second bed closing against the upperend of the casing to define an annular chamber communicating with said outlet, and a by-pass about said baffle for return to the casing lower portion of drip collected thereon.

5. In an exhaust gas conditioner having a closed, vertically elongated casing adapted to confine a charge of water in its lower portion and formed with an outlet to atmosphere at its upper end, and means reactive to the input of exhaust gases adjacent the casing lower end to intermix said gases with the water of the charge and to circulate the resultant mixture upwardly of the casing to discharge within the upper portion thereof, means for suppressing the acidic characteristic of the gases and gas-water mixtures, said latter means comprising a bed of broken limerock transversely obstructing the lower portion of the casing, whereby said bed is positioned for submergence within the water charge between the gas input zone and the discharge end of said first means, as a medium wherethrough the water of the charge is repetitiously washed between and over the surfaces of the ele ments composing said bed during operation of said first means.

6. In an exhaust gas conditioner having a closed, vertically elongated casing adapted to confine a charge of water in its lower portion and formed with an outlet to atmosphere at its upper end, and means reactive to the input of exhaust gases adjacent the casing lower end to I intermix said gases with the water of the charge and to circulate the resultant mixture upwardly of the casing to discharge within the upper portion thereof, means for thoroughly diffusing, dewatering, and ameliorating the vapors discharged by said first means, said latter means comprising a deflector spacedly and telescopically associated with the discharge end of said first means for the downward direction of the outflow from the latter, a frusto-conical baflie sealed to and instanding upwardly of the casing with its open lesser base spacedly surrounding said deflector to define therewith a narrow annular throat as the sole uprise passage for the vapors, and a bed of broken limerock transversely obstructing the casing between said throat and the outlet to atmosphere.

7. In an exhaust gas conditioner having a closed, vertically elongated casing adapted to confine a charge of water in its lower portion and formed with an outlet to atmosphere at its upper end, and means reactive to the input of exhaust gases adjacent the casing lower end to intermix said gases with the water of the charge and to circulate the resultant mixture upwardly of the casing to discharge within the upper portion thereof, means for thoroughly diffusing, dewatering, and ameliorating the vapors discharged by said first means, said latter means comprising a deflector spacedly and telescopically associated with the discharge end of said first means for the downward direction of the outflow from the latter, a frusto-conical battle sealed to and instanding upwardly of the casing with its open lesser base spaced-1y surrounding said deflector to define therewith a narrow annular throat as the sole uprise passage for the vapors, a bed of broken limerock transversely obstructing the casing between said throat and the outlet to atmosphere, and a plate centrally and transversely of the casing within said bed peripherally spaced inwardly from the casing and spacedly registered in overhanging relation with the open lesser base of said baffle.

8. In an exhaust gas conditioner having a closed, vertieally elongated casing adapted to confine a charge of water in its lower portion and formed with an outlet to atmosphere at its upper end, and means reactive to the input of exhaust gases adjacent the casing lower end to intermix said gases with the water of the charge and to circulate the resultant mixture upwardly of the casing to discharge within the upper portion thereof, means for thoroughly diifusing, dewatering, and ameliorating the vapors discharged by said first means, said latter means comprising a deflector spacedly and telescopically associated with the discharge end of said first means for the downward direction of the outflow from the latter, a frusto-coni-cal baflie sealed to and instanding upwardly of the casing with its open lesser base spacedly surrounding said deflector to define therewith a narrow annular throat as the sole uprise passage for the vapors, a bed of broken limerock transversely obstructing the casing between said throat and the outlet to atmosphere below the latter, a plate centrally and transversely of the casing within said bed peripherally spaced inwardly from the casing and spacedly registered in overhanging relation with the open lesser base of said baflie, and a central, upward extension of said bed closing against the upper end of the casing to define an annular chamber communicating with said outlet.

Ruth May 4, 1954 Ruth May 11, 1954 

1. AN EXHAUST GAS CONDITIONER COMPRISING A CLOSED VERTICALLY ELONGATED CASING ADAPTED TO CONFINE A CHARGE OF WATER IN ITS LOWER PORTION, AN OUTLET TO ATMOSPHERE AT THE UPPER END OF SAID CASING, A BED OF BROKEN LIMEROCK TRANSVERSELY OBSTRUCTING THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID CASING SPACEDLY ABOVE THE BOTTOM THEREOF, WHEREBY SAID BED IS POSITIONED FOR SUBMERGENCE WITHIN THE WATER CHARGE CONFINED BY THE CASING, MEANS REACTIVE TO THE INPUT OF EXHAUST GASES WITH WATER FROM BELOW SAID BED TO INTERMIX THE GASES WITH WATER FROM BELOW THE BED AND TO CIRCULATE THE RESULTANT MIXTURE UPWARDLY OF THE CASING TO DISCHARGE WITHIN THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, A SECOND BED OF BROKEN LIMEROCK TRANSVERSELY OBSTRUCTING THE CASING UPPER PORTION BETWEEN THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID MEANS AND SAID OUTLET, AND MEANS DIFINITIVE OF A TORTUOUS FLOW PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID OUTLET AND THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID FIRST MEANS EFFECTIVE TO DEWATER THE VAPORS THEREBY TRAVERSED. 